“Economic power is still in the hands of a few and that is the reason why the majority of Zimbaweans still suffer and we know our president is capable of correcting that because we are the future of this country,” a supporter told AFP.

“He is an iconic leader who has shown us that as Africans we must trace our roots and fight against colonialism,” another supporter of Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party said.

Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980. He has indicated his desire to stand again as president in elections due in 2018.